Education & Events
 

Municipal Law Program (MLP)



 
 

Municipal Law Program (MLP)

This four unit program provides students with a general understanding of municipal legal matters and the knowledge of how far to proceed before seeking professional advice. A Certificate of Completion is awarded once you have successfully completed each MLP Unit. Although it is recommended that you register to take one unit at a time, we do leave the decision up to the individual. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to the curriculum and schedule for more than one unit during the same term. Successful completion of all four units within a three-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA).

Each year, AMCTO presents an award for excellence to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark upon completion of the four units of this program.

Program Format

MLP is available in two formats:
  • Correspondence Format: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) according to a given schedule. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your submissions. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activities and communication are performed via the AMCTO Connect online learning platform.
  • Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) through the AMCTO Connect online learning platform. However, unlike the correspondence format, an instructor will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom. You are required to attend these classes at the scheduled times.
  • NEW - All four units of MLP Unit were changed for the Fall 2022 term. There are no longer end of unit exams but each unit now has five assignments that will be graded, rather than four assignments. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Correspondence Format Tuition Fees

$412.45 ($365.00 + $47.45 HST) for each unit.

All course materials including the textbook are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $35 fee applies and the total will be $452.00 ($365.00 + $35.00 + $52.00 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

​​Correspondence Course Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 ($100.00 + $13.00 HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Education Department. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.

Zoom Format Tuition Fees

$508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST) for each unit.

All course materials are provided through online access.

Zoom Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Education Department. A refund levy of $113.00 per unit ($100.00 + $13.00 HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to the event. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date.
Registration for the MLP Unit 1 Correspondence Offering - Introduction to Municipal Law

Provides a general context of the law and the legal framework governing Municipalities. It also introduces students to the infrastructure of Municipal organization and operation. Further, the lessons provide an overview of the Municipal Act of 2001 and address legal and philosophical issues of statutory interpretation. Other topics in the Unit deal with Municipal by-laws and how to define, draft, enforce and defend them. The Unit concludes with a discussion of how to manage Municipal records.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MLP Unit 1 Outline

Registration for the MLP Unit 2 Correspondence Offering - Municipal Torts

Examines tort law in the context of Municipal liability. In particular, it addresses issues related to liability in enforcement activities, public works activities, and recreational activities. The Unit also examines liability in matters dealing directly with Municipal politicians for things like negligence, unlawful interference with economic interests, libel and slander, breach of trust, abuse of office and the like. The discussion also includes various remedies under tort law, with an emphasis on the classification, measure and awarding of damages. Other topics in the Unit include limitation periods in law. The Unit concludes with a discussion of insurance, including their acquisition and the process of making of claims.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MLP Unit 2 Outline

Register
Registration for the MLP Unit 3 Correspondence Offering - Municipal Contracts

Focuses on contract law and their application to Municipalities. The lessons cover subjects such as the formation of contracts and their statutory framework. The discussion also addresses the various elements of a contract and the principles surrounding its termination. Other topics in the Unit include the analysis of a contract, various types of contracts, the capacity to contract, as well as the basic procedures of drafting of a contract.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MLP Unit 3 Outline

Registration for the MLP Unit 4 Correspondence Offering – Municipal Land Related Law

Focuses on Municipal land-related law. It addresses core topics like landholding and landowners, ownership and other interests in land. It also examines issues related to descriptions, plans and surveys in Ontario. The Unit further provides a discussion of the Planning Act, including a detailed analysis of Provincial plans, Provincial policy statements and related official plans. Other significant and often highly controversial subjects within the Planning Act covered in the Unit are zoning and site plan control. The Unit also addresses issues of land division and the development permit system associated with the Planning Act. The remaining topics in the Unit include discussions about statutes creating a lien on land, Municipal tax collection, Municipal land dealings and the Building Code Act of 1992.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MLP Unit 4 Outline

Challenging a MLP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role and/or courses to receive approval to challenge any unit of MLP. Challenging any unit of MLP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MLP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MLP Unit you are challenging.

Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $265.55 per unit (235.00 + 30.55 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $305.10 per unit (235.00 + 35.00 + 35.10 HST #R106732936)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MLP Unit, submit the MLP Challenge Application to Rosita Bourke.
(only available when the correspondence registration is open).

Registration for Digital Format (Zoom) Classes

MLP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Law (4 Days)

Next offering will be during the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open December 1 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

Instructor: David N. Germain, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see David's full BIO.
MLP Unit 2 Classes - Municipal Torts (4 Days)

Next offering will be during the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open December 1 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

Instructor: Al Burton, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Al's full BIO.
MLP Unit 3 - Municipal Contracts (4 Days)

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 or until class reaches capacity - there is no waiting list.

Fee for each Unit: $508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST). Includes all unit materials provided through online access.

Curriculum: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam according to a given schedule that will be performed via AMCTO Connect portal but you will also be required to attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

Attendance is essential to this format of learning however, these sessions will be recorded. In the event that you are unable to attend any one of these dates, you will have the opportunity to listen to the presentation at a later date.

Dates for MLP Unit 3 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
September 9, 16, 30 and October 7
*Exam window: October 19-21

*The exam will be available in AMCTO Connect for 72 hours. You can start the exam at any point during the exam period, but once you start you must submit it within 24 hours or by the end of the 72 hours, whichever comes first. Therefore, registration for the exam is no longer required. Instructions will be provided in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: Denitza Koev, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Denitza's full BIO.
MLP Unit 4 - Municipal Land Related Law (4 Days)

Registration is open from July 2 to October 7 or until class reaches capacity - there is no waiting list.

Fee for each Unit: $508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST). Includes all unit materials provided through online access.

Curriculum: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam according to a given schedule that will be performed via AMCTO Connect portal but you will also be required to attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

Attendance is essential to this format of learning however, these sessions will be recorded. In the event that you are unable to attend any one of these dates, you will have the opportunity to listen to the presentation at a later date.

Dates for MLP Unit 4 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
November 4, 11, 25 and December 2
*Exam window: December 14-16

*The exam will be available in AMCTO Connect for 72 hours. You can start the exam at any point during the exam period, but once you start you must submit it within 24 hours or by the end of the 72 hours, whichever comes first. Therefore, registration for the exam is no longer required. Instructions will be provided in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: Denitza Koev, Partner, Thomson Rogers Lawyers. Please click here to see Denitza's full BIO.